New York State Bar Association Kicks Off National Pro Bono Week With Pro Bono Expo On October 19

Panel of distinguished judges, attorneys and local service providers to discuss growing need for volunteer services and how to find pro-bono opportunities

ALBANY, NY (10/13/2011)(readMedia)-- The New York State Bar Association, in conjunction with the Third Judicial District Pro Bono Planning Committee, will celebrate the third annual National Pro Bono Week with a Pro Bono Expo on October 19 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the State Bar Center, One Elk Street, Albany.

Pro Bono Week, established by the American Bar Association in 2009, shines a spotlight on the extraordinary efforts of thousands of attorneys who donate their time and talent to help society's most vulnerable citizens. National Pro Bono Week runs from October 23 through 29.

The State Bar Expo is intended to "demystify" what it takes to provide pro bono services. Chief Judge of the State of New York Jonathan Lippman and New York State Bar President Vincent E. Doyle III of Buffalo (Connors & Vilardo LLP) will open the program. A panel of distinguished jurists and attorneys from the Capital District will address issues related to providing pro bono service, including:

• Level of experience and expertise needed

• Time commitments

• Areas of need

Local legal service providers will discuss how to find pro bono opportunities tailored to an attorney's specific experience and skills.

"At a time when public funding of civil legal services is imperiled, even as the need continues to grow, Capital District attorneys have risen to the challenge, volunteering countless hours of their time," said State Bar President Doyle. "This Expo offers attorneys ways they can help some of our most vulnerable and needy neighbors."

Attorneys attending the Expo will receive one CLE credit in ethics. Pre-registration is required. To register, visit www.nysba.org/probono or contact the Department of Pro Bono Affairs at (518) 487-5641.

To mark National Pro Bono Week, legal services organizations, local bar associations, law firms and law schools throughout the state will host free continuing legal education seminars, volunteer recruitment drives and legal clinics. For a full listing, visit www.nysba.org/probono.

The 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.

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